13 September 2019 : Clinical Research
Ankle Joint Position and the Reliability of Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of the Achilles Tendon: A Pilot Study
Arturo Lawson1ABCDEF*, Marika Noorkoiv1BE, Lorenzo Masci2BDE, Amir A. Mohagheghi1EDOI: 10.12659/MSM.915685
Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:6884-6893
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Imaging of the Achilles tendon using ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) involves taking up the slack of the tendon by including dorsiflexion of the ankle. This pilot study aimed to determine whether different longitudinal tension applied to the Achilles tendon during imaging affected the reliability of UTC.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine asymptomatic active volunteers, aged between 23–49 years underwent imaging of 17 Achilles tendons. Three positions of tension included plantar grade, 50%, and 100% of maximal dorsiflexion, with a range of 18–32°. Ranges were established and standardized using an isokinetic dynamometer. A test and re-test process was conducted at each position to determine the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and minimum detectable change (MDC) per echotype. Images were analyzed using UTC software.
RESULTS: Plantar grade positioning images could not be obtained. ICCs for each echotype I–IV between test 1 and test 2 were 0.965, 0.962, 0.858, 0.739 at 100% dorsiflexion (95% CI, 0.86–0.99, 0.84–0.99, 0.51–0.97, and 0.2–0.94), and 0.771, 0.551, 0.569, 0.429 at 50% dorsiflexion (95% CI, 0.29–0.94, –0.09–0.88, –0.01–0.88, and –0.15–0.82). The MDC per echotype I–IV ranged between 4.1–1.0% of echotype data at 100% dorsiflexion, and 17.2–6.3% at 50% dorsiflexion.
CONCLUSIONS: Testing at maximum dorsiflexion provided improved reliability when using UTC in healthy individuals. The ICC at 100% dorsiflexion was increased, and the MDC was reduced for all echotypes. Therefore, standardizing test positions when using UTC is advisable for reliable comparison of results between studies.
Keywords: Achilles Tendon, Reproducibility of Results, Tendinopathy, Ultrasonography, Ankle Joint, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Pilot Projects
Editorial
01 January 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Two Adjuvanted Malaria Vaccines and the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategy to Eradicate Malaria by 2030DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939357
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e939357
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
26 January 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: The XBB.1.5 (‘Kraken’) Subvariant of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 and its Rapid Global SpreadMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939580
19 January 2023 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health in 729 Medical Students in Indonesia During ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938892
19 January 2023 : Clinical Research
Determining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Care in the Serbian Adult Population: An Online Q...Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e939238
27 December 2022 : Clinical Research
Effect of Physiotherapy to Correct Rounded Shoulder Posture in 30 Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in ...Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e938926
In Press
26 Jan 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: The XBB.1.5 (‘Kraken’) Subvariant of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 and its Rapid Global SpreadMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939580
20 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
A Study of 42 Partially Edentulous Patients with Single-Crown Restorations and Implants to Compare Bone Los...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939225
20 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Perfusate Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, Kidney Injury Molecular-1, Liver-Type Fatty Acid Bind...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938758
19 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Bakri Balloon for Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Real-World 2016-2020 Study in 279 Women from a Sing...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938823
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952